willlaughatyourcalamity。\"Thesaints，too，influencedbythesamefeeling，willjoininthederision；for，accordingtoDavid，whentheywitnessthepunishmentofthewicked，\"theyshallfear，andyetlaughatit—videbuntjustiettimebunt，etsupereumridebunt。\"AndJobsays：\"Innocenssubsannabiteos—Theinnocentshalllaughatthem。\"ItisworthyofremarkherethattheveryfirstwordswhichGodaddressedtomanafterhisfallcontain，intheopinionofthefathers，\"bitterirony\"andmockery。AfterAdamhaddisobeyedhisMaker，inthehope，suggestedbythedevil，ofbeinglikeGod，itappearsfromScripturethatGod，asapunishment，subjectedhimtodeath；andafterhavingreducedhimtothismiserablecondition，whichwasduetohissin，Hetauntedhiminthatstatewiththefollowingtermsofderision：\"Behold，themanhasbecomeasoneofus！—EcceAdamquasiunusexnobis！\"—which，accordingtoSt。Jeromeandtheinterpreters，is\"agrievousandcuttingpieceofirony，\"withwhichGod\"stunghimtothequick。\"\"Adam，\"saysRupert，\"deservedtobetauntedinthismanner，andhewouldbenaturallymadetofeelhisfollymoreacutelybythisironicalexpressionthanbyamoreseriousone。\"St。Victor，aftermakingthesameremark，adds，\"thatthisironywasduetohissottishcredulity，andthatthisspeciesofraineryisanactofjustice，meritedbyhimagainstwhomitwasdirected。\"Thusyousee，fathers，thatridiculeis，insomecases，averyappropriatemeansofreclaimingmenfromtheirerrors，andthatitisaccordinglyanactofjustice，because，asJeremiahsays，\"theactionsofthosethaterrareworthyofderision，becauseoftheirvanity—vanasuntesrisudigna。\"Andsofarfromitsbeingimpioustolaughatthem，St。Augustineholdsittobetheeffectofdivinewisdom：\"Thewiselaughatthefoolish，becausetheyarewise，notaftertheirownwisdom，butafterthatdivinewisdomwhichshalllaughatthedeathofthewicked。\"
Theprophets，accordingly，filledwiththeSpiritofGod，haveavailedthemselvesofridicule，aswefindfromtheexamplesofDanielandElias。
Inshort，examplesofitarenotwantinginthediscoursesofJesusChristhimself。St。Augustineremarksthat，whenhewouldhumbleNicodemus，whodeemedhimselfsoexpertinhisknowledgeofthelaw，\"perceivinghimtobepulledupwithpride，fromhisrankasdoctoroftheJews，hefirstbeatsdownhispresumptionbythemagnitudeofhisdemands，and，havingreducedhimsolowthathewasunabletoanswer，What！sayshe，youamasterinIsrael，andnotknowthesethings！—asifhehadsaid，Proudruler，confessthatthouknowestnothing。\"St。ChrysostomandSt。Cyrillikewiseobserveuponthisthat\"hedeservedtoberidiculedinthismanner。\"Youmaylearnfromthis，fathers，thatshoulditsohappen，inourdaythatpersonswhoenactthepartof\"masters\"amongChristians，asNicodemusandthePhariseesdidamongtheJews，showthemselvessoignorantofthefirstprinciplesofreligionastomaintain，forexample，that\"amanmaybesavedwhoneverlovedGodallhislife，\"weonlyfollowtheexampleofJesusChristwhenwelaughatsuchacombinationofignoranceandconceit。
Iamsure，fathers，thesesacredexamplesaresufficienttoconvinceyouthattoderidetheerrorsandextravagancesofmanisnotinconsistentwiththepracticeofthesaints；otherwisewemustblamethatofthegreatestdoctorsoftheChurch，whohavebeenguiltyofit—suchasSt。Jerome，inhislettersandwritingsagainstJovinian，Vigilantius，andthePelagians；
Tertullian，inhisApologyagainstthefolliesofidolaters；St。AugustineagainstthemonksofAfrica，whomhestyles\"thehairymen\"；St。IrenaeustheGnostics；St。BernardandtheotherfathersoftheChurch，who，havingbeentheimitatorsoftheapostles，oughttobeimitatedbythefaithfulinalltimecoming；for，saywhatwewill，theyarethetruemodelsforChristians，evenofthepresentday。Infollowingsuchexamples，IconceivedthatIcouldnotgofarwrong；and，asIthinkIhavesufficientlyestablishedthisposition，Ishallonlyadd，intheadmirablewordsofTertullian，whichgivethetrueexplanationofthewholeofmyproceedinginthismatter：
\"WhatIhavenowdoneisonlyalittlesportbeforetherealcombat。I
haveratherindicatedthewoundsthatmightbegivenyouthaninflictedany。Ifthereaderhasmetwithpassageswhichhaveexcitedhisrisibility，hemustascribethistothesubjectsthemselves。Therearemanythingswhichdeservetobeheldupinthiswaytoridiculeandmockery，lest，byaseriousrefutation，weshouldattachaweighttothemwhichtheydonotdeserve。Nothingismoreduetovanitythanlaughter；anditistheTruthproperlythathasarighttolaugh，becausesheischeerful，andtomakesportofherenemies，becausesheissureofthevictory。Caremustbetaken，indeed，thattherailleryisnottoolow，andunworthyofthetruth；but，keepingthisinview，whenridiculemaybeemployedwitheffect，itisadutytoavailourselvesofit。\"Doyounotthinkfathers，thatthispassageissingularlyapplicabletooursubject？TheletterswhichIhavehithertowrittenare\"merelyalittlesportbeforearealcombat。\"Asyet，Ihavebeenonlyplayingwiththefoilsand\"ratherindicatingthewoundsthatmightbegivenyouthaninflictingany。\"Ihavemerelyexposedyourpassagestothelight，withoutmakingscarcelyareflectiononthem。\"Ifthereaderhasmetwithanythathaveexcitedhisrisibility，hemustascribethistothesubjectsthemselves。\"And，indeed，whatismorefittedtoraisealaughthantoseeamattersograveasthatofChristianmoralitydeckedoutwithfanciessogrotesqueasthoseinwhichyouhaveexhibitedit？Oneisapttoformsuchhighanticipationsofthesemaxims，frombeingtoldthat\"JesusChristhimselfhasrevealedthemtothefathersoftheSociety，\"thatwhenonediscoversamongthemsuchabsurditiesas\"thatapriest，receivingmoneytosayamass，maytakeadditionalsumsfromotherpersonsbygivinguptothemhisownshareinthesacrifice\"；
\"thatamonkisnottobeexcommunicatedforputtingoffhishabit，provideditistodance，swindle，orgoincognitointoinfamoushouses\"；and\"thatthedutyofhearingmassmaybefulfilledbylisteningtofourquartersofamassatoncefromdifferentpriests\"—when，Isay，onelistenstosuchdecisionsasthese，thesurpriseissuchthatitisimpossibletorefrainfromlaughing；fornothingismorecalculatedtoproducethatemotionthanastartlingcontrastbetweenthethinglookedforandthethinglookedat。Andwhyshouldthegreaterpartofthesemaximsbetreatedinanyotherway？AsTertulliansays，\"Totreatthemseriouslywouldbetosanctionthem。\"What！isitnecessarytobringupalltheforcesofScriptureandtradition，inordertoprovethatrunningaswordthroughaman’sbody，covertlyandbehindhisback，istomurderhimintreachery？or，thattogiveonemoneyasamotivetoresignabenefice，istopurchasethebenefice？
Yes，therearethingswhichitisdutytodespise，andwhich\"deserveonlytobelaughedat。\"Inshort，theremarkofthatancientauthor，\"thatnothingismoreduetovanitythanderision，withwhatfollows，appliestothecasebeforeussojustlyandsoconvincingly，astoputitbeyondallquestionthatwemaylaughaterrorswithoutviolatingpropriety。Andletmeadd，fathers，thatthismaybedonewithoutanybreachofcharityeither，thoughthisisanotherofthechargesyoubringagainstmeinyourpublications。
For，accordingtoSt。Augustine，\"charitymaysometimesobligeustoridiculetheerrorsofmen，thattheymaybeinducedtolaughatthemintheirturn，andrenouncethem—Haectumisericorditerirride，uteisridendaacfugiendacommendes。\"Andthesamecharitymayalso，atothertimes，bindustorepelthemwithindignation，accordingtothatothersayingofSt。GregoryofNazianzen：\"Thespiritofmeeknessandcharityhathitsemotionsanditsheats。\"Indeed，asSt。Augustineobserves，\"whowouldventuretosaythattruthoughttostanddisarmedagainstfalsehood，orthattheenemiesofthefaithshallbeatlibertytofrightenthefaithfulwithhardwords，andjeeratthemwithlivelysalliesofwit；whiletheCatholicsoughtnevertowriteexceptwithacoldnessofstyleenoughtosetthereaderasleep？\"Isitnotobviousthat，byfollowingsuchacourse，awidedoorwouldbeopenedfortheintroductionofthemostextravagantandperniciousdogmasintotheChurch；whilenonewouldbeallowedtotreatthemwithcontempt，throughfearofbeingchargedwithviolatingpropriety，ortoconfutethemwithindignation，fromthedreadofbeingtaxedwithwantofcharity？Indeed，fathers！shallyoubeallowedtomaintain，\"thatitislawfultokillamantoavoidaboxontheearoranaffront，\"andmustnobodybepermittedpubliclytoexposeapublicerrorofsuchconsequence？
Shallyoubeatlibertytosay，\"thatajudgemayinconscienceretainafeereceivedforanactofinjustice，\"andshallnoonebeatlibertytocontradictyou？Shallyouprint，withtheprivilegeandapprobationofyourdoctors，\"thatamanmaybesavedwithouteverhavinglovedGod\"；
andwillyoushutthemouthofthosewhodefendthetruefaith，bytellingthemthattheywouldviolatebrotherlylovebyattackingyou，andChristianmodestybylaughingatyourmaxims？Idoubt，fathers，iftherebeanypersonswhomyoucouldmakebelievethis；ifhowever，therebeanysuch，whoarereallypersuadedthat，bydenouncingyourmorality，IhavebeendeficientinthecharitywhichIowetoyou，Iwouldhavethemexamine，withgreatjealousy，whencethisfeelingtakesitsrisewithinthem。Theymayimaginethatitproceedsfromaholyzeal，whichwillnotallowthemtoseetheirneighbourimpeachedwithoutbeingscandalizedatit；butIwouldentreatthemtoconsiderthatitisnotimpossiblethatitmayflowfromanothersource，andthatitisevenextremelylikelythatitmayspringfromthatsecret，andoftenself—concealeddissatisfaction，whichtheunhappycorruptionwithinusseldomfailstostirupagainstthosewhoopposetherelaxationofmorals。And，tofurnishthemwitharulewhichmayenablethemtoascertaintherealprinciplefromwhichitproceeds，Iwillaskthemif，whiletheylamentthewayinwhichthereligioushavebeentreated，theylamentstillmorethemannerinwhichthesereligioushavetreatedthetruth；iftheyareincensed，notonlyagainsttheletters，butstillmoreagainstthemaximsquotedinthem。Ishallgrantittobebarelypossiblethattheirresentmentproceedsfromsomezeal，thoughnotofthemostenlightenedkind；and，inthiscase，thepassagesIhavejustcitedfromthefatherswillservetoenlightenthem。Butiftheyaremerelyangryatthereprehension，andnotatthethingsreprehended，truly，fathers，Ishallneverscrupletotellthemthattheyaregrosslymistaken，andthattheirzealismiserablyblind。Strangezeal，indeed！whichgetsangryatthosethatcensurepublicfaults，andnotatthosethatcommitthem！Novelcharitythis，whichgroansatseeingerrorconfuted，butfeelsnogriefatseeingmoralitysubvertedbythaterror。Ifthesepersonswereindangerofbeingassassinated，pray，wouldtheybeoffendedatoneadvertisingthemofthestratagemthathadbeenlaidforthem；andinsteadofturningoutoftheirwaytoavoidit，wouldtheytrifleawaytheirtimeinwhiningaboutthelittlecharitymanifestedindiscoveringtothemthecriminaldesignoftheassassins？Dotheygetwaspishwhenonetellsthemnottoeatsuchanarticleoffood，becauseitispoisoned？ornottoentersuchacity，becauseithastheplague？
Whencecomesit，then，thatthesamepersonswhosetdownamanaswantingincharity，forexposingmaximshurtfultoreligion，would，onthecontrary，thinkhimequallydeficientinthatgracewerehenottodisclosemattershurtfultohealthandlife，unlessitbefromthis，thattheirfondnessforlifeinducesthemtotakeingoodparteveryhintthatcontributestoitspreservation，whiletheirindifferencetotruthleadsthem，notonlytotakenoshareinitsdefence，buteventoviewwithpaintheeffortsmadefortheextirpationoffalsehood？Letthemseriouslyponder，asinthesightofGod，howshameful，andhowprejudicialtotheChurch，isthemoralitywhichyourcasuistsareinthehabitofpropagating；thescandalousandunmeasuredlicensewhichtheyareintroducingintopublicmanners；
theobstinateandviolenthardihoodwithwhichyousupportthem。Andiftheydonotthinkitfulltimetoriseagainstsuchdisorders，theirblindnessisasmuchtobepitiedasyours，fathers；andyouandtheyhaveequalreasontodreadthatsayingofSt。Augustine，foundedonthewordsofJesusChrist，intheGospel：\"Woetotheblindleaders！woetotheblindfollowers！—
Vaecaecisducentibus！vaecaecissequentibus！\"But，toleaveyounoroominfuture，eithertocreatesuchimpressionsonthemindsofothers，ortoharbourtheminyourown，Ishalltellyou，fathers（andIamashamedIshouldhavetoteachyouwhatIshouldhaveratherlearntfromyou），themarkswhichthefathersoftheChurchhavegivenforjudgingwhenouranimadversionsflowfromaprincipleofpietyandcharity，andwhenfromaspiritofmaliceandimpiety。Thefirstoftheserulesisthatthespiritofpietyalwayspromptsustospeakwithsincerityandtruthfulness；whereasmaliceandenvymakeuseoffalsehoodandcalumny。\"Splendentiaetvehementia，sedrebusveris—Splendidandvehementinwords，buttrueinthings，\"asSt。Augustinesays。Thedealerinfalsehoodisanagentofthedevil。Nodirectionoftheintentioncansanctifyslander；andthoughtheconversionofthewholeearthshoulddependonit，nomanmaywarrantablycalumniatetheinnocent：becausenonemaydotheleastevil，inordertoaccomplishthegreatestgood；and，astheScripturesays，\"thetruthofGodstandsinnoneedofourlie。\"St。Hilaryobservesthat\"itistheboundendutyoftheadvocatesoftruth，toadvancenothinginitssupportbuttruethings。\"
Now，fathers，IcandeclarebeforeGodthatthereisnothingthatIdetestmorethantheslightestpossibledeviationfromthetruth，andthatIhaveevertakenthegreatestcare，notonlynottofalsify（whichwouldbehorrible），butnottoalterorwrest，intheslightestpossibledegree，thesenseofasinglepassage。SocloselyhaveIadheredtothisrulethat，ifI
maypresumetoapplythemtothepresentcase，Imaysafelysay，inthewordsofthesameSt。Hilary：\"Ifweadvancethingsthatarefalse，letourstatementsbebrandedwithinfamy；butifwecanshowthattheyarepublicandnotorious，itisnobreachofapostolicmodestyorlibertytoexposethem。\"Itisnotenough，however，totellnothingbutthetruth；
wemustnotalwaystelleverythingthatistrue；weshouldpublishonlythosethingswhichitisusefultodisclose，andnotthosewhichcanonlyhurt，withoutdoinganygood。And，therefore，asthefirstruleistospeakwithtruth，thesecondistospeakwithdiscretion。\"Thewicked，\"saysSt。Augustine，\"inpersecutingthegood，blindlyfollowthedictatesoftheirpassion；butthegood，intheirprosecutionofthewicked，areguidedbyawisediscretion，evenasthesurgeonwarilyconsiderswhereheiscutting，whilethemurderercaresnotwherehestrikes。\"Youmustbesensible，fathers，thatinselectingfromthemaximsofyourauthors，Ihaverefrainedfromquotingthosewhichwouldhavegalledyoumost，thoughImighthavedoneit，andthatwithoutsinningagainstdiscretion，asotherswhowerebothlearnedandCatholicwriters，havedonebeforeme。AllwhohavereadyourauthorsknowhowfarIhavesparedyouinthisrespect。Besides，I
havetakennonoticewhateverofwhatmightbebroughtagainstindividualcharactersamongyou；andIwouldhavebeenextremelysorrytohavesaidawordaboutsecretandpersonalfailings，whateverevidenceImighthaveofthem，beingpersuadedthatthisisthedistinguishingpropertyofmalice，andapracticewhichoughtnevertoberesortedto，unlesswhereitisurgentlydemandedforthegoodoftheChurch。Itisobvious，therefore，that，inwhatIhavebeencompelledtoadvanceagainstyourmoralmaxims，Ihavebeenbynomeanswantingindueconsideration：andthatyouhavemorereasontocongratulateyourselfonmymoderationthantocomplainofmyindiscretion。Thethirdrule，fathers，is：Thatwhenthereisneedtoemployalittleraillery，thespiritofpietywilltakecaretoemployitagainsterroronly，andnotagainstthingsholy；whereasthespiritofbuffoonery，impiety，andheresy，mocksatallthatismostsacred。I
havealreadyvindicatedmyselfonthatscore；andindeedthereisnogreatdangeroffallingintothatvicesolongasIconfinemyremarkstotheopinionswhichIhavequotedfromyourauthors。Inshort，fathers，toabridgetheserules，Ishallonlymentionanother，whichistheessenceandtheendofalltherest：Thatthespiritofcharitypromptsustocherishintheheartadesireforthesalvationofthoseagainstwhomwedispute，andtoaddressourprayerstoGodwhilewedirectouraccusationstomen。
\"Weoughtever，\"saysSt。Augustine，\"topreservecharityintheheart，evenwhileweareobligedtopursuealineofexternalconductwhichtomanhastheappearanceofharshness；weoughttosmitethemwithasharpness，severebutkindly，rememberingthattheiradvantageismoretobestudiedthantheirgratification。\"Iamsure，fathers，thatthereisnothinginmylettersfromwhichitcanbeinferredthatIhavenotcherishedsuchadesiretowardsyou；andasyoucanfindnothingtothecontraryinthem，charityobligesyoutobelievethatIhavebeenreallyactuatedbyit。
Itappears，then，thatyoucannotprovethatIhaveoffendedagainstthisrule，oragainstanyoftheotherruleswhichcharityinculcates；andyouhavenorighttosay，therefore，thatIhaveviolatedit。But，fathers，ifyoushouldnowliketohavethepleasureofseeing，withinashortcompass，acourseofconductdirectlyatvariancewitheachoftheserules，andbearingthegenuinestampofthespiritofbuffoonery，envy，andhatred，Ishallgiveyouafewexamplesofit；and，thattheymaybeofthesortbestknownandmostfamiliartoyou，Ishallextractthemfromyourownwritings。Tobegin，then，withtheunworthymannerinwhichyourauthorsspeakofholythings，whetherintheirsportiveandgallanteffusions，orintheirmoreseriouspieces，doyouthinkthattheparcelofridiculousstories，whichyourfatherBinethasintroducedintohisConsolationtotheSick，areexactlysuitabletohisprofessedobject，whichisthatofimpartingChristianconsolationtothosewhomGodhaschastenedwithaffliction？
Willyoupretendtosaythattheprofane，foppishstyleinwhichyourFatherLeMoinehastalkedofpietyinhisDevotionmadeEasyismorefittedtoinspirerespectthancontemptforthepicturethathedrawsofChristianvirtues？WhatelsedoeshiswholebookofMoralPicturesbreathe，bothinitsproseandpoetry，butaspiritfullofvanity，andthefolliesofthisworld？Take，forexample，thatodeinhisseventhbook，entitled，\"EulogyonBashfulness，showingthatallbeautifulthingsarered，orinclinedtoredden。\"Callyouthataproductionworthyofapriest？Theodeisintendedtocomfortalady，calledDelphina，whowassadlyaddictedtoblushing。
Eachstanzaisdevotedtoshowthatcertainredthingsarethebestofthings，suchasroses，pomegranates，themouth，thetongue；anditisinthemidstofthisbadinage，sodisgracefulinaclergyman，thathehastheeffronterytointroducethoseblessedspiritsthatministerbeforeGod，andofwhomnoChristianshouldspeakwithoutreverence：\"Thecherubim—
thosegloriouschoirs—Composedofheadandplumes，WhomGodwithHisownSpiritinspires，AndwithHiseyesillumes。Thesesplendidfaces，astheyfly，Areeverredandburninghigh，Withfireangelicordivine；Andwhiletheirmutualflamescombine，ThewavingoftheirwingssuppliesAfantocooltheirecstasies！Butrednessshineswithbettergrace，Delphina，onthybeauteousface，Wheremodestysitsrevelling—Arrayedinpurple，likeaking，\"&；c。Whatthinkyouofthis，fathers？DoesthispreferenceoftheblushesofDelphinatotheardourofthosespirits，whichisneithermorenorlessthantheardourofdivinelove，andthissimileofthefanappliedtotheirmysteriouswings，strikeyouasbeingveryChristian—likeinthelipswhichconsecratetheadorablebodyofJesusChrist？Iamquiteawarethathespeaksonlyinthecharacterofagallantandtoraiseasmile；butthisispreciselywhatiscalledlaughingatthingsholy。Andisitnotcertain，that，werehetogetfulljustice，hecouldnotsavehimselffromincurringacensure？although，toshieldhimselffromthis，hepleadsanexcusewhichishardlylesscensurablethantheoffence，\"thattheSorbonnehasnojurisdictionoverParnassus，andthattheerrorsofthatlandaresubjectneithertocensurenortheInquisition\"；asifonecouldacttheblasphemerandprofanefellowonlyinprose！Thereisanotherpassage，however，inthepreface，whereeventhisexcusefailshim，whenhesays，\"thatthewateroftheriver，onwhosebankshecomposeshisverses，issoapttomakepoets，that，thoughitwereconvertedintoholywater，itwouldnotchaseawaythedemonofpoesy。\"Tomatchthis，ImayaddthefollowingflightofyourFatherGarasse，inhisSummaryoftheCapitalTruthsinReligion，where，speakingofthesacredmysteryoftheincarnation，hemixesupblasphemyandheresyinthisfashion：\"Thehumanpersonalitywasgrafted，asitwere，orsetonhorseback，uponthepersonalityoftheWord！\"Andomittingmanyothers，Imightmentionanotherpassagefromthesameauthor，who，speakingonthesubjectofthenameofJesus，ordinarilywrittenthus，I。H。S。observesthat\"somehavetakenawaythecrossfromthetopofit，leavingthecharactersbarelythus，I。H。S。—which，\"sayshe，\"isastrippedJesus！\"Suchistheindecencywithwhichyoutreatthetruthsofreligion，inthefaceoftheinviolablelawwhichbindsusalwaystospeakofthemwithreverence。Butyouhavesinnednolessflagrantlyagainsttherulewhichobligesustospeakofthemwithtruthanddiscretion。
Whatismorecommoninyourwritingsthancalumny？CanthoseofFatherBrisacierbecalledsincere？Doeshespeakwithtruthwhenhesaysthat\"thenunsofPort—Royaldonotpraytothesaints，andhavenoimagesintheirchurch？\"Arenotthesemostoutrageousfalsehoods，whenthecontraryappearsbeforetheeyesofallParis？Andcanhebesaidtospeakwithdiscretionwhenhestabsthefairreputationofthesevirgins，wholeadalifesopureandaustere，representingthemas\"impenitent，unsacramentalists，uncommunicants，foolishvirgins，visionaries，Calagans，desperatecreatures，andanythingyouplease，\"loadingthemwithmanyotherslanders，whichhavejustlyincurredthecensureofthelateArchbishopofParis？Orwhenhecalumniatespriestsofthemostirreproachablemorals，byasserting\"thattheypractisenoveltiesinconfession，toentraphandsomeinnocentfemales，andthathewouldbehorrifiedtotelltheabominablecrimeswhichtheycommit。\"Isitnotapieceofintolerableassurancetoadvanceslanderssoblackandbase，notmerelywithoutproof，butwithouttheslightestshadow，orthemostdistantsemblanceoftruth？Ishallnotenlargeonthistopic，butdeferittoafutureoccasion，forIhavesomethingmoretosaytoyouaboutit；butwhatIhavenowproducedisenoughtoshowthatyouhavesinnedatonceagainsttruthanddiscretion。Butitmaybesaid，perhaps，thatyouhavenotoffendedagainstthelastruleatleast，whichbindsyoutodesirethesalvationofthosewhomyoudenounce，andthatnonecanchargeyouwiththis，exceptbyunlockingthesecretsofyourbreasts，whichareonlyknowntoGod。Itisstrange，fathers，buttrue，nevertheless，thatwecanconvictyouevenofthisoffence；thatwhileyourhatredtoyouropponentshascarriedyousofarastowishtheireternalperdition，yourinfatuationhasdrivenyoutodiscovertheabominablewishthat，sofarfromcherishinginsecretdesiresfortheirsalvation，youhaveofferedupprayersinpublicfortheirdamnation；andthat，afterhavinggivenutterancetothathideousvowinthecityofCaen，tothescandalofthewholeChurch，youhavesincethenventured，inParis，tovindicate，inyourprintedbooks，thediabolicaltransaction。Aftersuchgrossoffencesagainstpiety，firstridiculingandspeakinglightlyofthingsthemostsacred；nextfalselyandscandalouslycalumniatingpriestsandvirgins；andlastly，formingdesiresandprayersfortheirdamnation，itwouldbedifficulttoaddanythingworse。Icannotconceive，fathers，howyoucanfailtobeashamedofyourselves，orhowyoucouldhavethoughtforaninstantofchargingmewithawantofcharity，whohaveactedallalongwithsomuchtruthandmoderation，withoutreflectingonyourownhorridviolationsofcharity，manifestedinthosedeplorableexhibitions，whichmakethechargerecoilagainstyourselves。Infine，fathers，toconcludewithanotherchargewhichyoubringagainstme，IseeyoucomplainthatamongthevastnumberofyourmaximswhichIquote，therearesomewhichhavebeenobjectedtoalready，andthatI\"sayoveragain，whatothershavesaidbeforeme。\"TothisIreplythatitisjustbecauseyouhavenotprofitedbywhathasbeensaidbeforethatIsayitoveragain。TellmenowwhatfruithasappearedfromallthecastigationsyouhavereceivedinallthebookswrittenbylearneddoctorsandeventhewholeUniversity？
WhatmorehaveyourFathersAnnat，Caussin，Pintereau，andLeMoinedone，intherepliestheyhaveputforth，exceptloadingwithreproachesthosewhohadgiventhemsalutaryadmonitions？Haveyousuppressedthebooksinwhichthesenefariousmaximsaretaught？Haveyourestrainedtheauthorsofthesemaxims？Haveyoubecomemorecircumspectinregardtothem？Onthecontrary，isitnotthefactthatsincethattimeEscobarhasbeenrepeatedlyreprintedinFranceandintheLowCountries，andthatyourfathersCellot，Bagot，Bauny，Lamy，LeMoine，andothers，persistinpublishingdailythesamemaximsoveragain，ornewonesaslicentiousasever？Letushearnomorecomplaints，then，fathers，eitherbecauseIhavechargedyouwithmaximswhichyouhavenotdisavowed，orbecauseIhaveobjectedtosomenewonesagainstyou，orbecauseIhavelaughedequallyatthemall。Youhaveonlytositdownandlookatthem，toseeatonceyourownconfusionandmydefence。WhocanlookwithoutlaughingatthedecisionofBauny，respectingthepersonwhoemploysanothertosetfiretohisneighbour’sbarn；thatofCellotonrestitution；theruleofSanchezinfavourofsorcerers；theplanofHurtadoforavoidingthesinofduellingbytakingawalkthroughafieldandwaitingforaman；thecomplimentsofBaunyforescapingusury；thewayofavoidingsimonybyadetouroftheintention，andkeepingclearoffalsehoodbyspeakinghighandlow；